Genetic studies on components of production and reproduction traits in Holstein Friesian X Deoni (Holdeo) crossbred cattle

Data on 287 Holstein Friesian x Deoni crossbred cows maintained at Cattle Cross Breeding Project, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani during 1981–2010 were analyzed. Heritability estimates for lactation milk yield, peak milk yield, days to reach peak milk yield, lactation period, dry period, age at first calving, service period, gestation period and inter calving period were 0.296 ± 0.035,0.310 ± 0.087,0.329 ± 0.110,0.281 ± 0.100,0.160 ± 0.045, 0.244 ± 0.119, 0.238 ± 0.172, 0.270 ± 0.190 and 00.289 ± 0.145, respectively. Heritability estimates for all performance traits showed medium heritability except for dry period (DP). The results of genetic correlation revealed that age at first calving (AFC) was positive and significantly correlated with days to reach peak milk yield (DRPMY) and lactation period (LP) and with lactation milk yield (LMY), where as correlation between age at first calving (AFC) and peak milk yield (PMY) was negative and significant. These results indicated that higher AFC will lead to decrease in lactation traits which are not beneficial for selection.